The Strongest Man Who Ever Lived

            There are many clues in the Bible that lead me to believe that Jesus was physically strong. At 33 years old, He was probably in the physical prime of His life. He worked with His hands for His profession, as a carpenter. And also, He was God.

            At the end of His life, He really had a chance to use His strength. There is no doubt that Jesus could have easily evaded the guards who tried to take Him into custody. He could have put twice as bad of a beating on the people who mocked and tortured Him on the way to the cross, and He could have brought down a host of angels from Heaven to free Him when He was on the cross. But Jesus showed a different kind of strength, a total trust and reliance on His Father: a type of strength in the face of death, the ultimate adversity. Jesus showed the strength of humility and sacrifice.

            Jesus humbled Himself and died on the cross for us. What an example to follow! Luckily, we don’t have to literally die on the cross to humble ourselves. We can however humbly sacrifice ourselves physically, emotionally and mentally this summer, putting the needs of the people we will be serving (staff and campers alike) ahead of our own.

            I am expecting this summer to be tough. Good, that’s how it should be. I am expecting to be challenged in ways I have never been challenged before. Following Jesus is not easy and shouldn’t feel comfortable. Despite all of the pending discomfort, I can’t wait because I know God will be there to take care of me when I’m at my weakest.

            I want to encourage and challenge everyone (including myself!) this summer to run towards those feelings of weakness, exhaustion, embarrassment and pain; that is where God is working in you to make you stronger.

-JDK